With the introduction of a nine-game SEC schedule starting during the 2026 college football season, Auburn will be given a third permanent opponent that the Tigers will face annually. While it's safe to say that the Iron Bowl and the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry are safe from being taken away, who the Tigers' third opponent will be is up in the air.
The Athletic asked each SEC fan base to vote on who they want to see as their three opponents on every year's football schedule. It was clear that Auburn fans don't want Alabama and Georgia to go away, as 99 percent voted to keep the Crimson Tide on the schedule while 97 percent voted for the Bulldogs as well.